{
  "title": "Gambling market timeline",
  "publisher": "Casino Capybara Research",
  "url": "https://casinocapybara.com/data/gambling-market-timeline/",
  "version": "2026-09-25",
  "licence": {
    "name": "Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"
  },
  "citation": "Casino Capybara Research (2026). Gambling market timeline [Data set]. Version 2026-09-25. https://casinocapybara.com/data/gambling-market-timeline/. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.",
  "methodology": "https://casinocapybara.com/research/methodology/",
  "columns": [
    {
      "key": "event_id",
      "description": "Stable identifier for the event."
    },
    {
      "key": "market_id",
      "description": "Market row this event belongs to (see the gambling-markets dataset)."
    },
    {
      "key": "date",
      "description": "ISO date, precision as recorded (YYYY-MM-DD, YYYY-MM or YYYY)."
    },
    {
      "key": "precision",
      "description": "Precision of the date: day, month or year."
    },
    {
      "key": "status",
      "description": "confirmed, scheduled, expected or uncertain."
    },
    {
      "key": "type",
      "description": "Kind of milestone, one of the labels on the dataset page."
    },
    {
      "key": "title",
      "description": "Short plain-English title."
    },
    {
      "key": "meaning",
      "description": "What this date means for players or operators."
    },
    {
      "key": "uncertainty",
      "description": "Note explaining a non-confirmed status or non-day precision; empty for a fully confirmed, day-precise event."
    },
    {
      "key": "sources",
      "description": "Sources as \"label | url\" pairs, primary sources first, separated by semicolons."
    },
    {
      "key": "verified_on",
      "description": "Date the sources were last checked (YYYY-MM-DD)."
    }
  ],
  "records": [
    {
      "event_id": "mexico-1947-leyfederal",
      "market_id": "mexico",
      "date": "1947-12-31",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Law enacted",
      "title": "Ley Federal de Juegos y Sorteos published",
      "meaning": "Still the governing federal statute: it prohibits gambling except where it allows it, and every later casino and betting permit is issued under it.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Ley Federal de Juegos y Sorteos, Cámara de Diputados (archived) | https://web.archive.org/web/20160128235142/http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/109.pdf",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "colombia-2001-ley643",
      "market_id": "colombia",
      "date": "2001-01-16",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Law enacted",
      "title": "Ley 643 de 2001 enacted",
      "meaning": "Sets the national framework for Colombia's gambling monopoly and creates the 'juegos novedosos' (novel games) category, the category later used to authorise online betting.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Ley 643 de 2001 (Función Pública / Alcaldía de Bogotá gestor normativo) | https://www.alcaldiabogota.gov.co/sisjur/normas/Norma1.jsp?i=4168",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "canada-other-2004-playnow-launch",
      "market_id": "canada-other",
      "date": "2004",
      "precision": "year",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Market launch",
      "title": "BCLC launches PlayNow.com",
      "meaning": "British Columbia's Crown lottery corporation opens PlayNow.com, a government-run online gambling site for BC players.",
      "uncertainty": "BCLC's own history gives only the year 2004; we have not confirmed the month or day from a primary source.",
      "sources": "BCLC — Our History | https://corporate.bclc.com/our-business/our-history.html",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "mexico-2004-reglamento",
      "market_id": "mexico",
      "date": "2004-09-17",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Regulation issued",
      "title": "Reglamento de la Ley Federal de Juegos y Sorteos published",
      "meaning": "The first implementing regulation for the 1947 law, setting out the federal permit system that casinos and betting venues operate under.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Reglamento de la Ley Federal de Juegos y Sorteos, Cámara de Diputados (archived) | https://web.archive.org/web/20070610061238/http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/regley/Reg_LFJS.pdf",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "chile-2005-ley19995",
      "market_id": "chile",
      "date": "2005-01-07",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Law enacted",
      "title": "Ley 19.995 creates the Superintendencia de Casinos de Juego",
      "meaning": "Creates the casino regulator (SCJ) and the licensing regime for land-based casinos. It provides no licences for online casinos.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Marco normativo (Superintendencia de Casinos de Juego, official regulator site) | https://www.scj.gob.cl/marco-normativo/",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "canada-other-2010-espacejeux-launch",
      "market_id": "canada-other",
      "date": "2010-12-01",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Market launch",
      "title": "Loto-Québec launches Espacejeux.com",
      "meaning": "Quebec's government lottery corporation opens its own online casino/poker platform as a regulated alternative to unlicensed offshore sites; pre-registration opened 19 November 2010 and the site went fully live 1 December 2010.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Loto-Québec press release (Newswire) | https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/loto-quebec-launches-espacejeuxcom-were-offering-quebecers-ahigh-performance-entertaining-and-enjoyable-web-site---alain-cousineaupresident-and-chief-executive-officer-546371632.html",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "japan-2016-ir-promotion-act",
      "market_id": "japan",
      "date": "2016-12-26",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Law enacted",
      "title": "IR Promotion Act enacted",
      "meaning": "A framework law commits the government to legislate detailed integrated-resort/casino rules within about a year, the first legal step toward permitting any casino gambling in Japan.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "House of Representatives (Shugiin) official law database — 特定複合観光施設区域の整備の推進に関する法律 (Law No. 115 of 2016) | https://www.shugiin.go.jp/internet/itdb_housei.nsf/html/housei/19220161226115.htm",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "finland-2017-veikkaus-merger",
      "market_id": "finland",
      "date": "2017-01-01",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Regulation issued",
      "title": "Veikkaus, RAY and Fintoto merge into a single company",
      "meaning": "Finland's three separate gambling monopolies (betting/lottery, slots/casino, horse-race totalisator) are consolidated under one state operator, Veikkaus Oy — the entity the 2026-27 reform now partially opens to competition.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Veikkaus Group — Our story | https://www.veikkausgroup.com/en/about-us/our-story",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "japan-2018-ir-development-act",
      "market_id": "japan",
      "date": "2018-07-27",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Law enacted",
      "title": "IR Development Act (\"IR Implementation Act\") promulgated",
      "meaning": "Sets the actual licensing rules for up to three casino resorts, entry fees and visit limits for Japanese residents, and creates the Japan Casino Regulatory Commission — the substantive law behind the 2016 framework act.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "National Diet Library Houreisakuin — 特定複合観光施設区域整備法 (Law No. 80 of 2018) | https://hourei.ndl.go.jp/simple/detail?lawId=0000145747&current=-1",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "argentina-2018-lotba-caba",
      "market_id": "argentina",
      "date": "2018-11-27",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Licences granted",
      "title": "City of Buenos Aires (CABA): LOTBA authorises online gambling",
      "meaning": "LOTBA, the City of Buenos Aires lottery, creates online games of chance, games of skill and sports betting in the city, to be offered by licensed operators.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Resolución 321/2018 (Boletín Oficial de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires) | https://boletinoficial.buenosaires.gob.ar/normativaba/norma/457040",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "brazil-2018-lei13756",
      "market_id": "brazil",
      "date": "2018-12-12",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Law enacted",
      "title": "Lei 13.756/2018 signed",
      "meaning": "Creates fixed-odds betting (apostas de quota fixa) as a legal lottery category, but without a working licensing system, so the market stayed unregulated in practice until the 2023 law.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Lei 13.756/2018 (Câmara dos Deputados legislative archive) | https://www2.camara.leg.br/legin/fed/lei/2018/lei-13756-12-dezembro-2018-787435-publicacaooriginal-156934-pl.html",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "argentina-2019-buenosairesprovince",
      "market_id": "argentina",
      "date": "2019-03-25",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Regulation issued",
      "title": "Buenos Aires Province: Decreto 181/2019 regulates online gambling",
      "meaning": "Approved the Title VIII regulation of Ley 15.079, letting the Instituto Provincial de Lotería y Casinos (IPLyC) license online casino games, sports betting and lotteries in Buenos Aires Province.",
      "uncertainty": "Promulgated 25 March 2019 (published 29 March 2019); some secondary press describes online operations under the registry only becoming fully effective around 2021 — see conflicts.",
      "sources": "Decreto 181/2019 (Normas GBA — Buenos Aires Province official regulations database) | https://normas.gba.gob.ar/documentos/BLmG59fQ.html",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "japan-2020-casino-commission",
      "market_id": "japan",
      "date": "2020-01-07",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Regulation issued",
      "title": "Japan Casino Regulatory Commission established",
      "meaning": "The independent Article-3 regulator responsible for licence screening, supervision of any future casino operator, and technical/addiction-prevention regulation begins operating as an external bureau of the Cabinet Office.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "National Personnel Authority (jinji.go.jp) — Japan Casino Regulatory Commission recruitment notice | https://www.jinji.go.jp/content/000014095.pdf",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "canada-other-2020-play-alberta-launch",
      "market_id": "canada-other",
      "date": "2020-10",
      "precision": "month",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Market launch",
      "title": "AGLC launches PlayAlberta.ca",
      "meaning": "Alberta's government-run online gambling site opens. It kept operating when the competitive iGaming Alberta market launched in July 2026.",
      "uncertainty": "Press reports give 1 October 2020; the official PlayAlberta.ca site is archived live on 3 October 2020.",
      "sources": "PlayAlberta.ca, archived 3 October 2020 | https://web.archive.org/web/20201003133915/https://playalberta.ca/; Global News — \"PlayAlberta, regulated online gambling website, launched Thursday\" | https://globalnews.ca/news/7371803/playalberta-regulated-online-gambling-website/",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "canada-ontario-2021-c218-assent",
      "market_id": "canada-ontario",
      "date": "2021-06-29",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Law enacted",
      "title": "Bill C-218 (Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act) receives royal assent",
      "meaning": "The federal Criminal Code amendment legalizing single-event sports betting becomes law, removing the last federal barrier to provinces authorizing it (and, in Ontario's case, to opening a competitive online market).",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "LEGISinfo, Parliament of Canada — Bill C-218 (43-2) | https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/43-2/c-218",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "canada-ontario-2021-igo-created",
      "market_id": "canada-ontario",
      "date": "2021-07-06",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Regulation issued",
      "title": "iGaming Ontario established as an AGCO subsidiary",
      "meaning": "The entity that would conduct and manage Ontario's planned competitive online market is formally created, roughly nine months before the market opens.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "AGCO — \"Ontario Government launches iGaming Ontario, a subsidiary of the AGCO\" | https://www.agco.ca/en/news/ontario-government-launches-igaming-ontario-subsidiary-agco",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "canada-ontario-2021-c218-in-force",
      "market_id": "canada-ontario",
      "date": "2021-08-27",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Law takes effect",
      "title": "Bill C-218's Criminal Code amendment comes into force",
      "meaning": "Single-event sports betting is removed from the Code's list of prohibited activities nationwide, leaving its regulation to the provinces and clearing the way for Ontario's open-market model.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Canada Gazette, Part II — Order Fixing August 27, 2021 as the Day on Which that Act Comes into Force | https://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2021/2021-09-01/html/si-tr56-eng.html",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "argentina-2021-cordoba",
      "market_id": "argentina",
      "date": "2021-12-30",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Law enacted",
      "title": "Córdoba Province: legislature passes an online-gambling law",
      "meaning": "Córdoba becomes one of the provinces that regulate online gambling under their own law.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Se sancionó la ley que regula el juego online en Córdoba (Legislatura de la Provincia de Córdoba, official site) | https://legislaturacba.gob.ar/se-sanciono-la-ley-que-regula-el-juego-online-en-cordoba/",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "canada-ontario-2022-market-launch",
      "market_id": "canada-ontario",
      "date": "2022-04-04",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Market launch",
      "title": "Ontario's competitive iGaming market launches",
      "meaning": "Private operators registered with the AGCO and under an iGaming Ontario operating agreement can legally offer online casino and betting products to Ontario players for the first time in Canada.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "iGaming Ontario — \"Ontario's New iGaming Market to Launch April 4, 2022\" | https://www.igamingontario.ca/en/news/ontarios-new-igaming-market-launch-april-4-2022",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "peru-2022-ley31557",
      "market_id": "peru",
      "date": "2022-08-12",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Law enacted",
      "title": "Ley N.º 31557 enacted",
      "meaning": "Created Peru's first legal framework for remote games and remote sports betting, under MINCETUR authorisation, with a 12% tax on operators' net gaming income.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Ley N.º 31557 (El Peruano official gazette) | https://busquedas.elperuano.pe/dispositivo/NL/2095517-1",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "canada-other-2022-saskatchewan-playnow",
      "market_id": "canada-other",
      "date": "2022-11-03",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Market launch",
      "title": "PlayNow.com launches in Saskatchewan via SIGA",
      "meaning": "Saskatchewan players get a regulated online casino and sportsbook through PlayNow.com, run in partnership with the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA).",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Government of Saskatchewan — \"SaskGaming celebrates the launch of the PlayNow.com online gaming platform\" | https://saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2022/november/03/saskgaming-celebrates-the-launch-of-the-playnowcom-online-gaming-platform",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "japan-2023-osaka-certified",
      "market_id": "japan",
      "date": "2023-04-14",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Licences granted",
      "title": "Osaka's Yumeshima IR plan certified by the national government",
      "meaning": "The national government certifies Osaka's integrated-resort plan for Yumeshima, the step that allows construction of Japan's first legal casino to go ahead.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Japan Tourism Agency (MLIT) — \"大阪・夢洲地区のＩＲ区域整備計画を認定\" | https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/news11_0414.html",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "canada-other-2023-nl-online-casino",
      "market_id": "canada-other",
      "date": "2023-06-12",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Market launch",
      "title": "Atlantic Lottery launches regulated online casino in Newfoundland and Labrador",
      "meaning": "Newfoundland and Labrador players get a government-run online casino through Atlantic Lottery's ALC.ca.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Government of Newfoundland and Labrador — \"Residents Provided with a Regulated and Responsible Space for Online Gaming\" | https://www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2023/fin/0612n03/",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "peru-2023-ds005",
      "market_id": "peru",
      "date": "2023-10-13",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Regulation issued",
      "title": "DS 005-2023-MINCETUR (reglamento) published",
      "meaning": "Publishes the implementing regulation for Ley 31557: the licence terms and rules operators must meet before licensed operation can begin.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Decreto Supremo N.º 005-2023-MINCETUR (El Peruano official gazette) | https://busquedas.elperuano.pe/dispositivo/SE/2224342-1",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "mexico-2023-slotdecree",
      "market_id": "mexico",
      "date": "2023-11-16",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Regulation issued",
      "title": "Decree amends the federal gaming regulation",
      "meaning": "The Reglamento under which Mexico issues every federal gaming permit is amended by presidential decree, changing the rules permit holders operate under.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "DOF, 16 November 2023 (archived) | https://web.archive.org/web/20250115121458/https://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5708745&fecha=16/11/2023",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "brazil-2023-lei14790",
      "market_id": "brazil",
      "date": "2023-12-29",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Law enacted",
      "title": "Lei 14.790/2023 signed, creates the SPA",
      "meaning": "Supplies the licensing system Lei 13.756/2018 lacked: the Secretaria de Prêmios e Apostas (SPA) in the Ministry of Finance authorises, supervises and sanctions betting operators nationwide.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Lei 14.790/2023 (Câmara dos Deputados legislative archive) | https://www2.camara.leg.br/legin/fed/lei/2023/lei-14790-29-dezembro-2023-795206-norma-pl.html",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "canada-ontario-2024-athlete-ad-ban",
      "market_id": "canada-ontario",
      "date": "2024-02-28",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Enforcement action",
      "title": "AGCO ban on athletes in iGaming advertising takes effect",
      "meaning": "Registered Ontario operators are barred from using active or retired athletes in iGaming marketing (except for responsible-gambling messaging), tightening advertising standards aimed at protecting minors.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "AGCO — \"AGCO to ban athletes in Ontario's igaming advertising to protect minors\" | https://www.agco.ca/en/news/agco-ban-athletes-ontarios-igaming-advertising-protect-minors",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "brazil-2024-portaria827",
      "market_id": "brazil",
      "date": "2024-05-21",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Regulation issued",
      "title": "Portaria SPA/MF 827/2024 sets licensing rules",
      "meaning": "Set the licensing process, technical/compliance requirements and baseline advertising standards operators had to meet before the market could go live, and confirmed the mandatory .bet.br domain.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Apostas de Quota Fixa (Secretaria de Prêmios e Apostas / Ministério da Fazenda) | https://www.gov.br/fazenda/pt-br/composicao/orgaos/secretaria-de-premios-e-apostas/apostas-de-quota-fixa",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "peru-2024-dl1644",
      "market_id": "peru",
      "date": "2024-09-13",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Regulation issued",
      "title": "Decreto Legislativo 1644 extends ISC to foreign platforms",
      "meaning": "Extends Peru's selective consumption tax (ISC) to remote games and betting offered by operators based abroad.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Decreto Legislativo 1644 (El Peruano) | https://www.elperuano.pe/noticia/252806-decreto-legislativo-1644-amplian-el-impuesto-selectivo-al-consumo-a-juegos-y-apuestas-a-distancia",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "argentina-2024-diputados",
      "market_id": "argentina",
      "date": "2024-11-27",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Bill progress",
      "title": "National Chamber of Deputies passes gambling-advertising/minors bill",
      "meaning": "The Chamber of Deputies approves a national bill on online-betting advertising and minors' access to gambling sites. It is not law unless the Senate also passes it.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Obtuvo media sanción un proyecto de prevención de ludopatía y regulación de las ciberapuestas (HCDN — Cámara de Diputados, official site) | https://www.hcdn.gob.ar/prensa/noticia/OBTUVO-MEDIA-SANCION-UN-PROYECTO-DE-PREVENCION-DE-LUDOPATIA-Y-REGULACION-DE-LAS-CIBERAPUESTAS/",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "brazil-2025-marketlaunch",
      "market_id": "brazil",
      "date": "2025-01-01",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Market launch",
      "title": "Regulated fixed-odds betting market goes live",
      "meaning": "From this date only SPA-authorised operators could legally accept bets from Brazilian consumers, each required to run its Brazil-facing site on a .bet.br domain.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Apostas de Quota Fixa (Secretaria de Prêmios e Apostas / Ministério da Fazenda) | https://www.gov.br/fazenda/pt-br/composicao/orgaos/secretaria-de-premios-e-apostas/apostas-de-quota-fixa",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "colombia-2025-decreto175",
      "market_id": "colombia",
      "date": "2025-02-14",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Regulation issued",
      "title": "Decreto 175/2025 imposes 19% VAT on online betting deposits",
      "meaning": "A 19% VAT applies to deposits into online gambling accounts, adopted under emergency economic powers.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Corte Constitucional, Sentencia C-431/25 (reviewing Decreto 175 de 2025) | https://www.corteconstitucional.gov.co/relatoria/2025/C-431-25.htm",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "canada-alberta-2025-bill48-introduced",
      "market_id": "canada-alberta",
      "date": "2025-03",
      "precision": "month",
      "status": "Uncertain",
      "type": "Bill progress",
      "title": "iGaming Alberta Act (Bill 48) introduced in the Legislative Assembly",
      "meaning": "The government tables the bill that will create the Alberta iGaming Corporation and open a competitive private online gambling market.",
      "uncertainty": "The official first-reading print of Bill 48 (docs.assembly.ab.ca) leaves the reading-stage dates blank in the version retrieved, so the exact day could not be confirmed from a primary source. Secondary press disagrees: some report first reading on 26 March 2025 (matching the history-gambling-canada guide), others on 31 March 2025. Logged as a conflict.",
      "sources": "Legislative Assembly of Alberta — Bill 48, iGaming Alberta Act (2025 Bill 48, First Session, 31st Legislature) | https://docs.assembly.ab.ca/LADDAR_files/docs/bills/bill/legislature_31/session_1/20230530_bill-048.pdf; Chambers and Partners — \"Alberta Introduces Bill 48: A New Regulatory Framework for iGaming\" | https://chambers.com/articles/alberta-introduces-bill-48-a-new-regulatory-framework-for-igaming",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "canada-ontario-2025-igo-independent",
      "market_id": "canada-ontario",
      "date": "2025-05-12",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Regulation issued",
      "title": "iGaming Ontario becomes independent of the AGCO",
      "meaning": "The iGaming Ontario Act, 2024 is proclaimed, ending iGO's status as an AGCO subsidiary and making it a stand-alone Crown agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming; the AGCO remains iGO's regulator.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "AGCO — \"Roles of the AGCO and iGaming Ontario\" | https://www.agco.ca/en/lottery-and-gaming/roles-agco-and-igaming-ontario; Canadian Gaming Business — \"iGaming Ontario Now Officially Independent From AGCO\" | https://www.canadiangamingbusiness.com/2025/05/12/igaming-ontario-act-in-effect-may-12/",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "canada-alberta-2025-bill48-assent",
      "market_id": "canada-alberta",
      "date": "2025-05-15",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Law enacted",
      "title": "iGaming Alberta Act (Bill 48) receives royal assent",
      "meaning": "The statute authorizing a competitive, privately operated online gambling market in Alberta and creating the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) becomes law.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Alberta King's Printer / Open Government — iGaming Alberta Act, SA 2025 c I-0.2 | https://open.alberta.ca/publications/i00p2",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "chile-2025-hacienda-approval",
      "market_id": "chile",
      "date": "2025-08-06",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Bill progress",
      "title": "Senate Finance Committee approves the online-betting bill in general",
      "meaning": "Boletín 14.838-03 clears the Senate Finance Committee in general and moves to the Senate floor. It is not yet law.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Senado de Chile, 6 August 2025 | https://www.senado.cl/comunicaciones/noticias/conozca-los-aspectos-claves-del-proyecto-que-regulara-el-desarrollo-de",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "japan-2025-online-casino-ad-ban",
      "market_id": "japan",
      "date": "2025-09-25",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Law takes effect",
      "title": "Ban on promoting illegal online-casino sites takes effect",
      "meaning": "Presenting, advertising or linking to illegal online-casino sites for people in Japan becomes unlawful in its own right. Playing at such sites was already illegal under the Penal Code.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "National Police Agency — notice on promulgation of the Basic Act on Gambling Addiction Countermeasures amendment (Reiwa 7 Law No. 76) | https://www.npa.go.jp/laws/notification/seian/hoan/hoantsutatu2/250625_gyamble_kofu.pdf; House of Councillors (Sangiin) — bill status page for the amendment | https://www.sangiin.go.jp/japanese/joho1/kousei/gian/217/meisai/m217090217037.htm",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "colombia-2025-c431",
      "market_id": "colombia",
      "date": "2025-10-16",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Court ruling",
      "title": "Constitutional Court upholds gambling VAT, strikes Coljuegos blocking power (C-431/25)",
      "meaning": "The Constitutional Court upholds the deposit VAT but strikes down the clause that let Coljuegos order internet providers to block unlicensed sites.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Corte Constitucional, Sentencia C-431/25 | https://www.corteconstitucional.gov.co/relatoria/2025/C-431-25.htm",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "mexico-2025-iepsdecree",
      "market_id": "mexico",
      "date": "2025-11-07",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Regulation issued",
      "title": "Decree sets a 50% special tax (IEPS) on gambling, including online",
      "meaning": "The IEPS rate on gambling and draws is set at 50%, and the decree states that games offered online by operators resident abroad are covered.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "IEPS reform, DOF 7 November 2025, Cámara de Diputados (archived) | https://web.archive.org/web/20260617063645/https://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/lieps/LIEPS_ref46_07nov25.pdf",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "finland-2025-gambling-act-passed",
      "market_id": "finland",
      "date": "2025-12-16",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Bill progress",
      "title": "Parliament passes the new Gambling Act",
      "meaning": "Eduskunta approves the Rahapelilaki and related amendments ending Veikkaus's exclusive right to betting, online casino games, online slots and online money bingo, sending the law to the President for confirmation.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Eduskunta (Parliament of Finland) — EV 170/2025 vp (Parliament's reply containing the Gambling Act) | https://www.eduskunta.fi/asiat-ja-aanestykset/valtiopaivaasiat/asiakirjat/edktunnus/EDK-2025-AK-60493; Rahapeliala ry — \"Eduskunta hyväksyi uuden rahapelilain\" | https://www.rahapeliala.fi/ajankohtaista/eduskunta-hyvksyi-uuden-rahapelilain",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "finland-2026-act-confirmed",
      "market_id": "finland",
      "date": "2026-01-16",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Law enacted",
      "title": "President confirms the new Gambling Act",
      "meaning": "Rahapelilaki 10/2026 becomes law, formally starting the transition away from the Veikkaus monopoly for betting and online casino games, with a staggered timetable set out in the Act's own commencement clause.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Rahapelilaki 10/2026 (Finlex) | https://finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/2026/20260010; Finnish Government (Valtioneuvosto) — \"Finland to open some gambling services to competition\" | https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-/1410869/finland-to-open-some-gambling-services-to-competition",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "finland-2026-applications-open",
      "market_id": "finland",
      "date": "2026-03-01",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Applications open",
      "title": "Gambling-licence applications open",
      "meaning": "Operators can apply to the National Police Board for the new Finnish gambling licences, the first practical step toward ending the Veikkaus monopoly on betting and online casino games.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Rahapelilaki 10/2026 (Finlex) | https://finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/2026/20260010; Finnish Government (Valtioneuvosto) — \"Finland to open some gambling services to competition\" | https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-/1410869/finland-to-open-some-gambling-services-to-competition; Police of Finland — Licences under the Gambling Act | https://poliisi.fi/en/licences-under-the-gambling-act",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "argentina-2026-executivebill",
      "market_id": "argentina",
      "date": "2026-05",
      "precision": "month",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Bill progress",
      "title": "National government sends Congress a gambling-addiction bill",
      "meaning": "The national government submits its own bill on preventing gambling addiction. It is not yet law, and online licensing stays with the provinces.",
      "uncertainty": "argentina.gob.ar confirms the submission occurred but does not give an exact day; secondary press dates the message (No. 179-2026) to 25–26 May 2026.",
      "sources": "El Gobierno nacional presentó un proyecto para prevenir la ludopatía (Argentina.gob.ar, official government portal) | https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/el-gobierno-nacional-presento-un-proyecto-para-prevenir-la-ludopatia",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "chile-2026-sii-resolucion69",
      "market_id": "chile",
      "date": "2026-06-02",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Regulation issued",
      "title": "SII Resolución Exenta 69 lets offshore betting platforms register for VAT",
      "meaning": "Foreign online betting and casino platforms with no Chilean establishment can register with the tax authority and pay VAT on services to users in Chile. Tax registration is not a gambling licence.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "SII emite Resolución para que plataformas extranjeras de apuestas en línea paguen IVA Digital (Servicio de Impuestos Internos, official site) | https://www.sii.cl/noticias/2026/030626noti01smn.htm",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "canada-alberta-2026-market-launch",
      "market_id": "canada-alberta",
      "date": "2026-07-13",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Confirmed",
      "type": "Market launch",
      "title": "Alberta's regulated iGaming market launches",
      "meaning": "Alberta becomes Canada's second open, competitive private online gambling market, with 22 operator sites live on day one under AGLC regulation and AiGC's conduct-and-manage role.",
      "uncertainty": null,
      "sources": "Alberta.ca — \"Alberta's iGaming Strategy\" | https://www.alberta.ca/albertas-igaming-strategy",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "finland-2027-market-launch",
      "market_id": "finland",
      "date": "2027-07-01",
      "precision": "day",
      "status": "Scheduled",
      "type": "Market launch",
      "title": "Licensed betting and online casino competition begins",
      "meaning": "Any operator holding a Finnish gambling-game licence can legally offer betting, online casino games, online slots and online money bingo to Finnish players for the first time; supervision transfers from the Police Board to the new Lupa- ja valvontavirasto.",
      "uncertainty": "Future date, but fixed in the Gambling Act's own commencement clause (not merely a target), hence 'scheduled' rather than 'expected'.",
      "sources": "Rahapelilaki 10/2026 (Finlex) | https://finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/2026/20260010; Finnish Government (Valtioneuvosto) — \"Finland to open some gambling services to competition\" | https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-/1410869/finland-to-open-some-gambling-services-to-competition",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    },
    {
      "event_id": "japan-2030-mgm-osaka-opening",
      "market_id": "japan",
      "date": "2030",
      "precision": "year",
      "status": "Expected",
      "type": "Market launch",
      "title": "MGM Osaka targeted to open",
      "meaning": "Japan's first legal casino, part of the Yumeshima integrated resort in Osaka, is targeted to open. It is a land-based casino; online casino gambling stays illegal.",
      "uncertainty": "Autumn 2030 is a target stated by Osaka City, not a date fixed in law, and could move.",
      "sources": "City of Osaka — 統合型リゾート 大阪IR (official municipal IR page) | https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu220/osakair/",
      "verified_on": "2026-09-25"
    }
  ]
}